Katrina

Seems like Katrina has been in my home and heart forever. We are such a good fit. But it’s been just two months that this beauty has been my best friend and constant companion. Being matched with Katrina came about after our Brookline home visit volunteer, Nancy, had worked tirelessly, even while on vacation, to make this happen. We are both so grateful.

It was on May 22nd when two Brookline volunteers, Valerie and Mark, who live near me, kindly drove to the introduction near Morgantown. Katrina and Barbara, her wonderful Foster Mom, were waiting there to greet us. “Love at first sight” is a phrase overused, but this was truly a prime example of it.

Barbara did such a great job of preparing this beautiful former breeder dog to live off the farm and in a loving home. In foster care, Katrina had been free from the farm for just 24 hours when Barbara reported that she was doing great. Barbara said it best when she said, “Katrina is finally free to be a dog!” Although at first a little scared, she quickly adapted to the good life. Initially, Katrina was afraid of Barbara’s husband but that got better with time. Breeder dogs can often be a bit shy around men. Foster Mom, Barbara, also treated Katrina to a spa day where she spent 2.5 hours getting pampered.

Getting in and out of the car was, at first, a challenge but Katrina quickly got the hang of it. Farm dogs can also be somewhat hesitant when it comes to doorways, but she trusted Barbara and learned that there was nothing to fear. She was also introduced to toys and, to this day, Katrina loves carrying things in her mouth. She is so gentle when she does.

When I first saw Katrina in person, I realized that the photos on the Brookline Foster Blog simply didn’t do her justice. As a six-year-old, with a velvety silver coat, Katrina truly is a beauty, no doubt. But it wasn’t just her looks, it was her calm, affectionate temperament that shone through, making it both love at first sight and a match made in heaven. In fact, Katrina’s personality is so mellow that she is now training as a therapy dog and will bring much joy to our local nursing home residents. Thank you to everyone at Brookline for rescuing Katrina from the farm and bringing us together.

Updated December 2025:

Former farm girl, Katrina, now officially has her K-Pets registration and participated on Friday, Nov. 21, at the “Welcome Vietnam Veterans” event hosted by Hospice of Central PA in Hershey, PA.

There were more than 250 attendees, and Katrina (the once shy girl who hid in a corner of her wonderful Foster Mom’s kitchen) has blossomed with loving kindness and was confident in greeting more than 200 people as they came through the doors!

The smiles were off the charts, as Vietnam era Veterans and their spouses gave her silky silver fur a pat and exclaimed, “Oh, she is so soft! and look at her eyes”!!��

Thank you to Barb, who fostered her and will always her “other Mom,” and to all who had a role in helping Katrina find her best life today. We will be continuing our visits to Artis Memory Care in Camp Hill; and we are now officially welcome to visit at Carolyn’s House, the Residence provided by Hospice of Central PA, in Harrisburg.

There seems to be a lot of residual love �� stored in farm girls after their “retirement.” I’m sharing our story to open the conversation for others who may be considering this service for their Lab. I truly believe that Katrina was born to do this, thrives on it!  And there may be many others with the same potential. If any BLRR adoptive parents would like to learn more about the characteristics and requirements of starting on the journey for their Lab to become a working therapy dog, I would be happy to have them reach out to me via email.

We will stay young as long as the smiles we receive keep coming!!!
Judy and Katrina